Make this Ramadan a Step Towards Your Healthy Future

Ramadan, the holy month for Muslims, is the ninth month of the Islamic Hijri calendar. It is a time when all Muslims are encouraged to practice self-restraint through fasting and abstinence. Devout Muslims fast from dawn prayer (Suhoor) to dusk prayer (Magrib). The breaking of the fast (Iftar) is often done as a community, with people breaking their fast together.

Fasting during Ramadan can improve one’s health, but only if done in the proper manner.

Doctors from Thumbay Hospital Fujairah, have shared some tips below, to make a few lifestyle changes to get the best out of this Ramadan.

Avoid salty foods, such as canned or processed foods, salted nuts and pickles, because those will increase thirst during the fasting period.

Consume more fruits and vegetables that are refreshing to prevent getting thirsty.

Break your fast slowly. Start with dates, followed by soup, a bowl of salad and then go the main meal. A warm soup comforts the stomach after a long day of fasting, replenishes body with fluids and help prepare digestive system for proper digestion.

Avoid over eating, as it may cause stomach pain and bloating which is a very common problem that people face during Ramadan.

It is recommended, diabetic patients on Insulin, pregnant women with gestational diabetes and critically ill patients to avoid fasting or consult their Physicians before Ramadan to seek advice on fasting.

If they insist on fasting, people who are diabetic and are on Insulin, should check their sugar 4-5 times in the fasting hours by glucometer at home. If blood sugar is below 70 mg/dl, they should break the fast immediately consult their treating physician urgently.

Diabetic patient should avoid taking high carbohydrate diet such as rice, sweets, etc, so that their blood sugar control will not be affected.

Those who are on oral medications, the dosing can be adjusted in consultation with Physician before starting Ramadan.

Dr. Dileep Kumar, Nephrologist, Thumbay Hospital Fujairah, has special advice for Kidney disease patients as their health condition would require special care during this period of fasting. Doctor advises:

Those who are at risk of Kidney disease i.e. patient with DM, polycystic kidney disease and Hypertension and kidney transplant patients and those with stone disease with good kidney functions should hydrate themselves well between Iftar and Suhoor by drinking at least 2.5 to 3 litres of water.

Kidney patients should not skip Suhoor, but should avoid taking dates, Banana, Mangoes, citrus fruits like oranges, apricot, Cantaloupe which have high potassium content